The study reconstructs the concept of the image as the basic concept of Plato's philosophy. Within the overall framework of this philosophy of the image, the appearance of the invisible in itself rather than the depiction of the likewise visible proves to be its uniform core. The picture thus moves into the direct vicinity of the body and is finally integrated into the ontology of the sequence of dimensions. This implies far-reaching reinterpretations of the line and cave parables as well as art criticism and establishes systematic references to the ontology of ideas, to the philosophy of language and the doctrine of parables as well as to Plato's own dialogue design. Plato's concept of the image is thus not merely a deprecating figure of thought, but constitutively dialectical: he formulates not only the differentiation of reality, but also the connection between the sensual and the spiritual, and consequently the unity of reality. Understanding the sensual world as an image does not mean declaring it meaningless or worthless, but to really come to terms with it.